Paul Nicholls will head to Sandown on Saturday safe in the knowledge that a 14th trainers’ championship is already in the bag as he seeks to break his own prize money record.

Smad Place won the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury by a dozen lengths 12 months ago and he will become the latest horse to attempt to win the race for a second time on Saturday.

Big Buck's took an important step towards his eagerly-anticipated return to action with a gallop before racing at Exeter.

Big Buck's, the winner of four Ladbrokes World Hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival, came through a workout before racing at Exeter with flying colours.

Big Buck's features among 34 entries for this year's £260,000 Grade One Ladbrokes World Hurdle as he bids to capture the three-mile championship contest for a record fourth consecutive time at The Festival on St Patrick's Thursday, March 15.